Appin Community Co-Operative
Port Appin Sub Post Office
Tel 01631 730235
Chairman, Dr. Ian McNicol . 1 Shuna View Port Appin tel 0631 730433
The original shop
was run as a pastime rather than for profit. When it came under threat of
closure the Community Committee set up the Co-operative in 1981. The business and
premises were bought in 1984 for £21000 and started trading again the following day as
Community Co-Op.
The shop is owned
by the Appin Community Co-Operative Ltd which is registered as a
Friendly Society with no charitable status. Share holders each with singe vote no matter how
many shares they own. Shares are £50 each. There are 300 Share holders of which 75% live in
the community. Any Dividends are paid into the Community Trust and not to individuals
The Co-operative
pay rates with part refund under Small Turnover status.
Management
There is a Management
Committee of 5 to 15 each serving for 3 years and a third standing
down at the end of each year for re- election. Management Committee officers consists of a
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary who are all share holders. They appointed
a Manager to run the shop. He in turn appointed and employed the staff consisting of one part
time book keeper and three part time staff. Required to comply with statutory requirements for
7 day trading.
The manager lives
in the Village
The Shop
Sales Area 119sq
m. Storage 40sq m
Vacant 1st.
floor with limited access, no secondary fire escape route, thus can not be used to its
full potential. Area approx 40sq m.
The shop contains
a Sub-Post Office. The Post Office pays for 18 hours per week. And
opening hours are 8.30 to 4.30 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday and Saturday. Half day
Wednesday
In line with POL
policy every time a new Manager is appointed the Post Office reduces the
hours.
The shop is open
from 8.30 to 5.30 six days a week, Sunday 10.00 to 1.00. It
sells full groceries,
frozen food, pre-packed meat from Tynault’s Butcher, tobacco, wines and
beers. Tobacco makes up 15% of turnover, wines and beers 25%. It is also a newsagent. The
shop is classified as a Booker’s Premium Shop. The alcohol Licence holder has to attend a
training course and pass an exam.
There is a cash
back facility on purchases over £10 but no ATM. Credit Cards are
discouraged because it ties up the telephone line. They also cash cheques.
The population
is about 500 with trade mostly from locals with tourist trade in season March to
November. Annual turnover is around £350,000.
